Bangkok: "Deputy Commander Jao" and "Inspector Jae" spearheaded a significant operation, leading to the arrest of a drug trafficking gang and ATM scammers. The operation uncovered methamphetamine, ketamine, and numerous cash withdrawal and deposit slips during a search of the suspects' home.

According to Thai News Agency, police apprehended a scammer during a money withdrawal at an ATM. The suspect's wife managed to escape by driving through the police cordon, leading to a high-speed chase. The pursuit ended dramatically when she ran a red light and collided with another vehicle, injuring several civilians. She was eventually located and arrested at a gas station on Phutthabucha Road in the Thung Khru district of Bangkok. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Further investigations led authorities to a house in Soi Pracha Uthit 33, where they found Ms. Nak, a suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant. Officers seized three bags of crystal methamphetamine, one bag of ketamine, 50,000 baht in cash, two mobile phones, and numerous cash-related documents. The investigation revealed a complex criminal network involved in fraudulent sales with multiple victims. Roles within the network ranged from defrauding victims in Myanmar to managing money lenders and withdrawal networks in Thailand.

Mr. Bunyawat and Ms. Lalita, a married couple linked to the operation, were observed withdrawing large sums of money and frequently using their phones, appearing to take instructions. Their task involved executing transactions on behalf of their boss, withdrawing cash without using cards, and depositing it into a proxy account as directed.

Mr. Bunyawat admitted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his girlfriend worked for a scamming gang in Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia. They were involved in a "girlfriend" model scam, targeting wealthy male government officials to invest in fraudulent stock trading schemes. The scam was highly effective, with a reported success rate of scamming 10 out of 10 targets, earning the couple 18,000 baht per month plus a commission of 10-15% on profits from the deception.

The suspect's criminal history includes online drug-related offenses, acting as a middleman in withdrawing cash for scams involving online goods purchases.